Earlier this week, the future king, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in New Zealand on their third official visit - the first in four years.

If this comes as a new news to some of you, I wouldn’t be surprised, I’ve hardly noticed they’ve been here. The media have obviously been following their visit, but it hasn’t made the headlines.

The big headlines, the big stories, the gasps, the incredulity, the wonder (if you can call it that) have been generated by Prince Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew.

Coincidentally, in other royal news, I’ve been working my way through the just released new series of The Crown. Despite The Crown being a mix of fact and fiction, it has been made to look quite dull by comparison.

What I’ve found interesting though as I’ve been watching is that it’s clear the Royal Family’s primary job has always been PR, and the challenge of how they’re perceived by the public has always the same, whatever the decade.

You all know the story by now. I won’t repeat the step-by step- proceedings but on Wednesday, after being summoned to Buckingham Palace by his mother on Wednesday Prince Andrew announced he was "stepping back" from royal duties.

We’re not too sure what stepping back means, but surely the Firm has put him out to pasture.

Prince Andrew has not been charged with a crime, we’re not sure whether he will contribute to the current US investigation, or be investigated himself, but when you hold yourself up to be the moral standard of the country and then behave this way, it’s time to go.  

While organisations and charities might benefit from a patron or association with a member of the royal family, I can’t imagine them wanting to associate with a man who said he couldn’t have had sex with the young lady in question because he was at a pizza party in Woking.

Meghan and Harry can’t believe their luck.

In general, the royal family is popular. They represent a connection to the past when Great Britain was at its best, they represent tradition and culture, and they have shown some aptitude for change.

It’s this blend of consistency and change that keeps the Monarchy going; as long as they’d don’t ignore the mood of the people (such as Diana’s death), or appear too woke and itching for change (Meghan and Harry).

In his BBC interview Prince Andrew couldn’t have come across as more out of touch, a pompous prat – self-serving, naïve, privileged  and utterly lacking compassion.

I feel for his daughters, whose lives have been plagued by their parent’s terrible decisions. Princess Eugenie is no doubt concerned about the impact on her passion project, the Anti-Slavery Collective. It’s all quite awkward.

Which brings me to the thought that maybe we like our royals to be seen and not heard, and if that’s the case, it’s time to further downsize. If The Crown TV series reminds us of anything, it’s the fact the royal family live in a different world to the rest of us, with different rules and obligation, and yet must market themselves to a broad audience. If there was ever a time to modernise just a little more, it’s now.

This story isn’t over yet. Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary has resigned and he has moved out of his office in Buckingham Palace, but something tells me Prince Andrew is going to do what’s best for Prince Andrew. With a transition of power likely soon, maybe he’s digging in his heels.

Much to my surprise, as far as the royal family go, I’m wearing the Team Charles t-shirt.

It’s going to be an interesting Christmas at Sandringham this year.